UPDATE: It turns out there were actually some running and driving versions of this car, link in text below.
The fact that AMC never produced this car is probably part of the reason why they were able to hang on as the last independent automaker until the twilight of the 1980s. Looking at it now, though, makes us wish they'd gone after the mid-engined supercar segment with their iconoclastic flair. Sure, that'd mean an interior done up in noxious orange tartan, but look at that design! Richard Teague and crew managed to create a very muscular form evocative of what may have happened had a Toronado mated with Signor Miura. There were several development cars created, but no production version. What has recently surfaced is one of the "pushcars" used at events to show off the exterior styling. Pushcars were basically fiberglass bodies splashed from molds of the clay bucks. Underneath the exterior was a wooden framework and rudimentary axles front and rear.
Other pushcars from the same program have surfaced, one was even stuck atop a pole at a used car dealership before being rescued and restored (as a pushcar, that is.) The AMX/3, however, remained sealed away in Bruce Wayne's underground lair, it would seem, until earlier this year. The seller, second owner of the AMX/3, had intended on mounting the body to a Pantera chassis, but decided to sell it instead. New owner Tom Dulaney intends to restore the pushcar back to its original setup, but not before taking molds from the body to possibly create replica pieces. So, in the end, we may actually be able to own the sexiest AMC that never was, even if it is underpinned by a Fiero. Actually, there's no word on what would serve as a chassis, so let your imaginations run. We know what will be circling our heads as we fall asleep tonight.
[Source: Hemmings]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave-in-PA @ Oct 27th 2007 8:03PM
It needs what AMC might have given it...the same chassis as that AMC Eagle. It would have jacked it up 8 inches off the pavement..but hey...all-wheel-drive! Just what every supercar needs.
roadster @ Oct 27th 2007 8:53PM
AMC made three full running prototypes of the AMX 3. Dick Teague owned one of them. I've seen a yellow one numerous times at local car shows before it was sold and after it was sold and at a concours d'elegance. They were not pushcars! Incredible car; gorgeous lines that were more refined than the Pantera.
Nick @ Oct 27th 2007 8:58PM
Yea, I've seen magazine articles featuring those functioning cars.
Soulstirred Roadster @ Oct 27th 2007 9:00PM
Actually there were seven made. The one I saw was owned by a Mr. Mimbs in GA before he sold it to Mr Knox Kershaw of Montgomery, AL (I spoke w/him and got his business card at the concours d'elegance). Unknown where it resides now, if he actually sold it.
More:
http://www.amxfiles.com/amc/amx3.html
Mason Hill @ Oct 27th 2007 9:53PM
I saw one in the back room of a specialty car dealership in Rockford, Illinois. They specialized in standard fare AMX's and I would go in and admire. One day the owner told me he wanted to show me something really special, and that was it. I was (and still is) really special.
zamafir @ Oct 27th 2007 9:43PM
thanks for that link, I'll be checking the SD museum to see if they still have one while im downtown tomorrow :)
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Oct 27th 2007 9:56PM
That car is so incredible. To be honest, those pics don't even do it justice.
It's too bad it never came to production.
Aaron B Brown @ Oct 27th 2007 10:20PM
Reminds me of the Racer X. car from speed racer.
http://maxpages.com/files/speedracer/Shooting%20Star.jpg
Bill @ Oct 27th 2007 10:26PM
Extremely extremely cool.
And thanks for the link to the AMX Files website. I had seen the AMX Files many times, and after some time passed, I realized that the author Jim lived one block away from me, right here in Alexandria, VA 22305! I had seen his unrestored 68 AMX parked on the street, but it was a while before I "put 2 and 2" together. We have met but I did not know him personally. He moved about 2 years ago, and I hope he still has the AMX.
It was kind of cool that the author of one of the coolest and oldest AMC and AMX online resources was just down the street. Small world.
SPG @ Oct 27th 2007 10:32PM
Incredible looking car.
Makes me wonder what this car would of been like had it been produced.
I can't imagine it would of sold very well sadly.
zamafir @ Oct 27th 2007 11:23PM
why? That would have sold fine. Bricklen sold how many SV-1's at close to $10,000? This car is far more attractive then the Pantera, it would have sold.
Stuka @ Oct 28th 2007 12:41AM
Here is a video on YouTube with one of the running cars:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1CsXWPLUvcE